JD Eicher

JD Eicher (born July 27, 1986) is an American singer-songwriter and musician from Youngstown, Ohio.[1]

JD Eicher
JD Eicher performs songs from the soundtrack to the Nicholas Sparks novel Two By Two for an AOL Build livestream.
Background information
OriginYoungstown, Ohio
Genrespop, rock, indie
Years active2006-present
LabelsRock Ridge Music
Websitejdeicher.com

Both billed as JD Eicher and the Goodnights, and independently as JD Eicher, he has released four albums—one of which also featured a Deluxe Edition—as well as a live EP.[2]

Eicher created an EP of his music to accompany the release of the latest book by Nicholas Sparks called Two by Two. The musician and the author toured the country to promote this project.[3]

Early life

Eicher played guitar since age 12, and after graduating from Canfield High School,[4] he majored in music and business, earning a Bachelor of Science degree at Westminster College (Pennsylvania) in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.[5] Eicher cites as influences bands known for their lyrics ranging from Jackson Brown and The Beatles to Death Cab for Cutie.[1]

Career

While at Westminster College, Eicher formed JD Eicher and the Goodnights, and the band underwent several line-up changes over the next few years. Eicher's current band is composed of Jim Merhaut (bass), Ben Portz (keyboards), and Dylan Kollat (drums/percussion).

At college and after, the group performed concerts, and did shows at nightclubs and festivals across the U.S. Eicher, along with his group, recorded and released a trilogy of albums, The Shape of Things (2009), Shifting (2011), and Into Place (2013). The titles when combined read "The Shape of Things Shifting Into Place," and the themes tie into each other. Explains Eicher: "Each installment has its own theme that ties into an overarching concept. The Shape of Things theme was life’s ·cyclicality; Shifting was a tumultuous, introspective journey through change, represented by the album’s shifting genres, musical motifs, and lyrical themes; and Into Place’s poise represents a coming of age, comfort in who you are."[6]

JD Eicher and the Goodnights were selected as one of the top 10 unsigned bands of 2011 by Alternative Addiction magazine.[6] The following year, Eicher signed to Rock Ridge Music, home to Steve Forbert, Sister Hazel, Reel Big Fish, among others, for a record and management deal.[7]

For his 2016 album release, The Middle Distance, Eicher maintained the same musical personnel, however he dropped "the Goodnights" from the name of the band. Although Shifting was recorded in Bethesda, Maryland, and Into Place was recorded in Nashville, he opted to record The Middle Distance in the basement of his home in Ohio. "Although pretty and poppy and flowing, the songs are best enjoyed by people who like carefully drawn lyrics," said the Pittsburgh Post Gazette[7]

In 2016, Eicher provided an EP soundtrack to Nicholas Spark's 20th novel called Two by Two. The EP features the original song, "Two by Two," as well as "Not Afraid" (re-recorded from The Middle Distance), "Love Is Gonna Find You" (remastered from Shifting), and "The Last Love Song" (remastered from Into Place).[3][8]

Sparks and Eicher completed a series of United States' bookstore appearances, the former signing theTwo By Two book, the latter performing a couple of songs from the EP.[9]

In addition to the Sparks’ partnership, Eicher’s song, "Level Out," was used as promotion for Virgin America Airlines.[10] Olive Garden used his song "Aaron" for a national ad.[11]

As a solo artist and with the Goodnights, Eicher has opened for Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Hot Chelle Rae, Pete Yorn, Anberlin, Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams, Maroon 5, Sister Hazel, Kelly Clarkson, Matt Nathanson, Train, Cartel, and Matt White, and others.[12]

Eicher performed on a music cruise on the Norwegian Pearl ship called the Rock Boat in 2014 and 2016.[13] He is set to perform again on The Rock Boat in 2017.[14]

Discography
  • 2009 The Shape of Things (Independent release)
  • 2011 Shifting (Independent release)
  • 2012 Shifting-Deluxe Edition (Independent release)
  • 2013 Into Place (Rock Ridge Music)
  • 2015 Live EP (Independent release)
  • 2016 The Middle Distance (Rock Ridge Music)
  • 2019 The Compass EP

References
  1. Mulkerin, Andy (September 11, 2013). "JD Eicher and the Goodnights Concentrate on the Lyrics". PGH City Paper. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  2. "JD Eicher". JD Eicher. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  3. Yin, Maryann (July 12, 2016). "Nicholas Sparks & JD Eicher Team Up For the Two by Two Soundtrack". Adweek. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  4. Boney, Stan (October 6, 2016). "Canfield singer writes song for author Nicholas Sparks' next novel". WKBN 27. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  5. Swank, Dan (October 2, 2016). "WC Grad Sparks Collaboration With "The Notebook" Author". WCN. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  6. Carosi, Paul. "Tasty Pop Rock from JD Eicher & the GoodNights". Radiofreetunes. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  7. Mervis, Scott (May 5, 2016). "Music preview: JD Eicher hoping to reach further with 'The Middle Distance'". Post Gazette. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  8. Swantek, Sam (October 4, 2016). "Nicholas Sparks on His New Novel Two by Two and The Notebook's 20th Anniversary". Parade. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  9. Foster, Allen (October 4, 2016). "Nicholas Sparks and JD Eicher talk to AXS about their collaboration on "Two by Two"". AXS. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  10. D'Astolfo, Guy (July 8, 2016). "Local musician JD Eicher creates soundtrack for novelist's new book". The Vindicator. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  11. Smith, Troy L. (March 12, 2014). "JD Eicher at Mahall's: Youngstown musician finishes album trilogy, lands national ad campaign". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  12. "Joy Ike / Jd Eicher". Timeout Pittsburgh. 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  13. Genzlinger, Neil (March 14, 2014). "The Rock Boat: Booze, Battles and 32 Bands". NY Times. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  14. "Final Lineup Additions". The Rock Boat. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
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